JEFFERSON – With time expiring, and down 4-3, the West Hall Lady Spartans' soccer team needed a prayer to make it to extra time against the Jefferson Lady Dragons. That prayer was answered off the foot of Izabel Salgado.

The North Hall girls tennis program topped Chamblee 3-2 in the second round of the Class AAAA state tournament on Monday. With the win, the Lady Trojans with play the winner of North Oconee/Woodward Academy in the state quarterfinals later this week. Time and location are still to be determined.

Whether they're striding or limping into this week's first round of the state playoffs, the area's girls soccer teams will find hard matchups across the board. With winning streaks in hand, Gainesville, Buford, Chestatee and Lumpkin County are all riding the highs of their recent success. Dawson County will have to hope recent injuries don't hamper them in a fascinating 2 vs. 3 seed matchup on Thursday, while East Hall is starring in its first ever state playoff appearance.

The Jefferson High boys and girls track and field program claimed the Region 8-AAA championship Saturday. The Dragons' boys won with 177.5 points, ahead of second-place Oconee County (158) and Elbert County (92). The Jefferson girls won with 168, ahead of Morgan County (96) and Hart County (89.5).